Glossary
Ink Types
The categories of tattoo ink, from carbon black to organic pigments and vegan inks.
Ink types are the different categories of tattoo ink, distinguished by the pigments and carrier fluids they use to deposit lasting color in the skin. Tattoo ink generally consists of a pigment, which provides the color, suspended in a carrier solution that keeps it evenly mixed and helps it flow during application. Black inks are commonly based on carbon black, a fine carbon pigment valued for its dense, stable, long-lasting result, making it the foundation of outlining and shading. Colored inks may use organic pigments, including azo compounds that produce bright reds, oranges, and yellows, or inorganic mineral-based pigments. Each chemistry differs in vibrancy, longevity, and how it behaves as a tattoo heals and ages. Vegan inks are formulated without animal-derived ingredients such as bone char, glycerin, or shellac, which can appear in some traditional inks, and they avoid animal testing. Carrier fluids vary as well, often using water, alcohols, or witch hazel. Pigment quality and composition influence not only appearance but also how skin may react, and some pigments are more prone to fading or allergic response than others. Understanding ink types helps clarify why colors differ in brightness and durability and why ingredient and sourcing choices matter to people considering a tattoo.